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Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Last night I was walking home from work along Moore Street when I arrived only minutes after a container trucked rolled at the pedestrian crossing at Ballarat Road.

The container truck carrying a 40 foot container rolled on its side landing on the footpath of Moore Street and across the pedestrian crossing at the intersection when turning from Ballarat Rd. The incident occurred because the drive was trying to avoid a car that was making the same turn at the same time on his inside. The intersection has two turning lanes, but is not designed for trucks of this size, they require both lanes to complete the turn safely.

When the truck rolled, it collided with a power pole bringing down live lines over the truck and the road. The driver was trapped in the cabin for some time as live wires sparked around the truck. Once the area was made safe by emergency services the driver was freed from the truck uninjured but shaken.

When I spoke with the driver he said that he did not like having to drive these size trucks on residential streets, but this route (Moore Street) is what VicRoads advise they use. Another driver at the incident said they would prefer to use the toll roads but can’t afford to pay the $25 a day pass, (approx $750 per month). Other drivers at the scene said it was only a matter of time before someone is serious injured or killed. Especially considering that there is no industry on Moore Street, it is all residential. With over 4000 trucks movements a day its only a matter of time before there is a fatality. Trucks of this size should not be on residential streets.

A semi trailer has flipped whilst turning into Moore St just before midgnight last night. Although the truck was removed by peak hour, it took out a power poles which has closed the street and caused peak hour chaos. Power was still not restored to the surrounding block by 10.20am

We are unaware if the driver suffered any injuries, but thankfully no body else was reported injured.. if pedestrians had been there at the time, it could have been a horrible story. This accident highlights that Moore St was never designed for the amounts of trucks that run down it, and with 2,500 trucks going down there each day, it is only a matter of time for something worse happens.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Moore and Buckley Streets need an alternative route for trucks.
The truckies need an alternative too.

While this is not a perfect solution, it should minimise the number of trucks that use Footscray to get to and from the port. In particular at nights and over the weekend.
Currently, VicRoads' argument is that the trucks do not have other options available to get to the port.

If built, the ramps will effectively be a more direct route to connect the Westgate freeway and the Port, bypassing Yarraville. As this route would be used by trucks 24/7, this should have an immediate impact to reduce the number of trucks in Footscray.
The Westgate tunnel costs about 5 billion so realistically we don't know if it will ever be built. The current government has everything under review, so this is a good time to put pressure on them.
This is a new approach, and the way we see it, it is only the beginning. While the Ramps Coalition's purpose is to get the Baillieu's Government to get on with the truck action plan, the real purpose is to work together with all interested parties to find a solution for the truck problem in the inner west.

Diesel is bad for our families, but the worst affected are the truckies themselves. The highest accumulation of diesel fumes is inside their cabins.
In the US the diesel and truck problem only started to become evident once community groups, the unions and others got together. Even the fire-fighters joined in.

We need you! so come to our Rally!

Join our first Community Rally with the Westgate Ramps Coalition.

When: 11am, Sunday 18 September 2011.

Where: Yarraville Gardens, Corner Hyde Street and Somerville Road.

CAN YOU DO SOME LETTER-BOXING to spread the word and make the event a success? Let us know.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

By Clay Lucas

Corner of Moore and Hopkins St, Footscray. July 2011

The Age - August 11, 2011

THE average freight train takes 110 trucks off the road, new economic research shows.And one passenger train removes 525 cars from the road, says a study, by Deloitte Access Economics for the Australasian Railway Association.The study says a road congestion charge and a per-tonne charge on trucks should one day apply across Australia.

It says that over 2008, local, state and federal governments spent a combined $12 billion on road projects, compared with about $2 billion on railway construction.The researchers found that for every trip made by rail and not by road, there was a reduction in costs to society of between $3 and $8.50.The association's chief executive, Brian Nye, said Australia had to end its ''love affair with cars'' and recognise the benefits of its railways.The trucking industry questioned some of the study's claims.....

Monday, August 8, 2011

MARIBYRNONG Council has added its voice to calls for action on removing trucks from residential streets.
Councillors voted in favour of motions asking the state government to review current curfews, which ban trucks from Francis Street and Somerville Road, Yarraville, between 8pm and 6am on weekdays, and from 1pm on Saturday to 6am on Monday.
Councillors also called for a study of health impacts created by noise and exhaust pollution.
The council is backing residents' calls to have curfews extended to cover Moore, Buckley and Whitehall streets, which bear the brunt of truck traffic cutting through the suburb.

Less Trucks for Moore spokesman Andreas Pineros said it was an an issue for the whole municipality, not just residents, particularly as the population and port traffic were both growing. "VicRoads and the state government are increasing their liability by bringing more people to Footscray and exposing them to the health and safety effects." he said.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

MORE than half of Australians want trucks moving only during non-peak times while 50 per cent want large trucks banned from cities, a new survey says.

An Auspoll survey of 1500 respondents said more than 80 per cent of Australians wanted more commonwealth involvement in funding and planning of the nation's public transport systems.
The survey was commissioned by a public transport and health coalition.
Australasian Railways Association chief executive Bryan Nye said traffic congestion costs Australians more than $15 billion a year through time lost in traffic, delays to businesses, associated health problems and road accidents.
"Our congested roads are a result of poor planning," Mr Nye said.
"It impedes Australia's productivity and liveability of our cities.

About Us

Less Trucks is a non political group of Footscray residents concerned with the increasing number of trucks on Moore St, Footscray.
VicRoads headed by Niel Finnegan and the State Government (new and old) have demonstrated a total disregard for the resident's health and amenity in their suburb. The EPA has also demonstrated that is incapable of doing anything about this major issue.